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Search for missing Fitchburg boy to resume Saturday

By Katina Caraganis , kcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
01/08/2014 07:07:20 AM EST

Jeremiah Oliver

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FITCHBURG -- A search planned for Saturday to find more information on the disappearance of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver has taken a step further this week, with a private investigator and handlers of search-and-rescue dogs committed to helping.

Miguel Fleitas, a member of the Navy Reserves with a background in conducting search-and-rescue training, has spearheaded many of the searches.

Searchers have looked at areas around 276 Kimball St., where Elsa Oliver lived with her three children before she was arrested and charged for her role in the alleged abuse of her children and Jeremiah's disappearance.

She remains in custody, in contempt of court, after repeatedly refusing to tell a juvenile-court judge where her son is.

Her boyfriend, Alberto Sierra, is being held without bail for his alleged involvement.

Fleitas said searchers also already inspected the area behind Meadowbrook Village, where Sierra lived.

He said he plans to search four distinct areas Saturday, but did not say where. He plans to have people meet in a parking lot across the street from the family's Kimball Street home to review maps before heading out to search.

He said he felt called upon to help because of the pain he saw family members going through in their quest to get information.

"I'm a resident of the community, and it pains me to see the community in pain, especially when it comes to a 5-year-old," he said.

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"When I saw Sandrino in front of the courthouse, crying and asking for help, I knew I had to do something."

Sandrino Oliver is the brother of Jose Oliver, Jeremiah's biological father. He has been vocal about finding his nephew.

Fleitas said he went to the very first search organized, as an observer, and was dismayed at how unorganized it seemed to be.

"When I first saw the search they did, they didn't get the help I thought they would be getting," he said. "It was so disorganized, and I was afraid of someone getting hurt. I figured someone should step up and direct the searches."

He has provided detectives with a number of leads coming out of the searches, but declined to elaborate on what they were so police could look into them without fear that a crime scene would be compromised.

During all of the searches he has conducted, maintaining evidence is of highest importance for him.

"That is very important to me," Fleitas said. "I'm picking leaders I trust and that I've been meeting with. That's a high priority. If we do find any evidence, we'll secure it and make sure nothing is compromised. If we do find something, we will stop and we will immediately call law enforcement to secure the entire area."

Anyone interested in helping the search party should plan to meet the group across the street from 276 Kimball St., on Saturday at 10 a.m.

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